Quinn signs new Illinois eavesdropping rules into law

Anthony Souffle/Chicago Tribune

Under the new law, people can legally record police officers and other government officials talking to the public as part of their duties. Previously, recording anyone, even in public, was illegal without their permission.

Under the new law, people can legally record police officers and other government officials talking to the public as part of their duties. Previously, recording anyone, even in public, was illegal without their permission. (Anthony Souffle/Chicago Tribune)

Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn on Tuesday signed a measure into law that puts in place new rules regarding how private conversations can be recorded following an Illinois Supreme Court decision that struck down the state's eavesdropping law for being too broad.

The new law would require that all parties involved in a private conversation give their permission to be recorded. Under the law, such a conversation is defined as any oral communication between two or more people in which the parties have a "reasonable expectation" the discussion will remain private.

That means, for example, that it would be illegal for one worker to secretly record a colleague complaining about a boss over the phone. It would be legal, however, to record that conversation if it were taking place loudly on the street.

It also would be legal to record police officers and other government officials talking to the public as part of their duties. Illinois' previous eavesdropping law was among the strictest in the nation, making it illegal to record anybody, even in public, without their permission.

Supporters say the measure strikes an appropriate balance in ensuring privacy while allowing public officials to be held accountable.

Opponents, however, raised concerns about a provision that would allow law enforcement officials to seek an exemption from a state's attorney instead of a judge when investigating cases such as drug crimes, assault, abduction, murder and gunrunning. Officials previously needed judicial approval for such an exemption, which under the new law would not be required unless secret recording was needed for more than 24 hours.

Critics also questioned a portion of the law that would make it a crime for someone to forward an email or other electronic communication that the sender intended to be private, saying such a restriction was sure to be challenged in court.

The new law does not address the issue of body cameras for police, though sponsors of the eavesdropping law have said they plan to tackle that when they return to Springfield next month. The idea of requiring police to wear cameras to record their interactions with the public has seen renewed focus after Ferguson, Mo., police Officer Darren Wilson fatally shot 18-year-old Michael Brown, sparking riots and launching a nationwide outcry about race relations between police and the communities they serve.

Also Tuesday, Quinn signed a bill into law that expands property tax breaks for veterans with disabilities. Under the measure, the homestead exemption for disabled veterans increases from $70,000 to $100,000. The law also applies to homes donated to veterans by charitable groups.

The measure was sponsored by Sen. Michael Hastings, D-Tinley Park, after an Antioch veteran was given a custom-built house but could not afford the tax bill.

Another measure signed by Quinn will require Chicago and suburban transit agencies to stream public meetings online.

Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn on Monday signed a measure into law that will make it a felony to post sexually explicit videos and photos of another person online without his or her permission.

The law is aimed at preventing a practice known as "revenge porn," in which a former lover shares online what...